Psalm 26 Explained

Psalm 26
Subtitle:"Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity"
Language:Hebrew (original)
Other Name:
  • Psalm 25 (Vulgate)
  • "Iudica me Domine"

Psalm 26, the 26th psalm of the Book of Psalms in the Bible, begins (in the King James Version): "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity".

The Book of Psalms is part of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 25. In Latin, it is known as "Iudica me Domine".[1] The psalm is attributed to David by its sub-title.[2] Albert Barnes argues that "there is no reason to doubt the correctness of the superscription",[3] but according to Charles and Emilie Briggs, it is to be dated within the Persian period (539 to 333 BCE).[4] The Briggs describe the psalm as They add that the "elements of prayer and worship" in verses 9 to 11 are additions by a later editor.

The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and Nonconformist Protestant liturgies.

Text

Hebrew

The following table shows the Hebrew text[5] [6] of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

VerseHebrewEnglish translation (JPS 1917)
1[A Psalm] of David. Judge me, O LORD, for I have walked in mine integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
2Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my reins and my heart.
3For Thy mercy is before mine eyes; and I have walked in Thy truth.
4I have not sat with men of falsehood; neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5I hate the gathering of evil doers, and will not sit with the wicked.
6I will wash my hands in innocency; so will I compass Thine altar, O LORD,
7That I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard, and tell of all Thy wondrous works.
8LORD, I love the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth.
9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of blood;
10In whose hands is craftiness, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity; Redeem me, and be gracious unto me.
12My foot standeth in an even place; in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

King James Version

  1. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
  2. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
  3. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
  4. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
  5. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
  6. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:
  7. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
  8. LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
  9. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
  10. In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
  11. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
  12. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

Structure

The psalm is divided into 2 parts

  1. Verses 1-11: Pleas and affirmation of justice for the Psalmist
  2. Verse 12: certainty of being heard and confident vows

The following observations can be made:

Uses

New Testament

Speculatively, this psalm is referenced in the story of the public trial of Jesus. After succumbing to the wishes of the gathered crowd, Pontius Pilate purportedly washed his hands to show his innocence of their judgement. In the account, this could function as an outward display of someone mechanically following the psalm verse, but it would be apparent to the original Jewish audience that his abdication of the responsibility of judging justly was not in its spirit.[8]

Judaism

In Judaism, verse 8 is the third verse of Ma Tovu.[9] [10]

Catholic Church

According to the monastic tradition this psalm was since St. Benedict of Nursia, performed during the celebration of matins of Sundays.[11] Today, Psalm 26 is recited or sung during the Daytime Hours on Friday Week 1.[12]

Verses 6-12 are said during the Lavabo (washing of the hands) of the Tridentine Mass.

Book of Common Prayer

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the morning of the fifth day of the month.[13]

Musical setting

Heinrich Schütz wrote a setting of a metric paraphrase of Psalm 26 in German, "Herr, schaff mir Recht, nimm dich mein an", SWV 123, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://medievalist.net/psalmstxt/ps25.htm Parallel Latin/English Psalter / Psalmus 25 (26)
  2. https://biblehub.com/context/psalms/26-1.htm Psalm 26
  3. Barnes, A. (1834), Barnes' Notes on Psalm 26, accessed 20 October 2021
  4. Book: Charles Augustus Briggs. Emilie Grace Briggs . 1960. 1906 . A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms . Edinburgh . T & T Clark . 229 . 1 . International Critical Commentary .
  5. Web site: Psalms – Chapter 26 . Mechon Mamre.
  6. Web site: Psalms 26 - JPS 1917 . Sefaria.org.
  7. Craig C. Broyles (2005), Psalms Concerning Temple Entry in The Book of Psalms: Composition and Reception, 261
  8. Web site: Matthew 27:24 when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "You bear the responsibility.".
  9. The Complete Artscroll Siddur, page 12
  10. D’après le Complete Artscroll Siddur, compilation des prières juives.
  11. Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique, p. 73,
  12. Règle de saint Benoît, traduction par Prosper Guéranger, (Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, réimpression 2007) p. 46.
  13. Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 196ff